Digital Service Squad

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of the Digital Main Street program.

Trained specialists meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses at no cost to help them complete an online assessment and introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills. This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses develop their Digital Transformation Plan and then apply for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

In late July, the Town of Lincoln secured a Digital Main Street (DMS) grant of $93,000 to deliver a DSS, a program that is instrumental in helping local businesses in Lincoln enhance their online capabilities. The primary role of the Town of Lincoln's DSS is to help you on-board to the Digital Main Street platform and assess your digital needs. The DSS can also help you gain a basic web presence, or enhance your existing web presence by helping you activate easy-to-use tools such as Google My Business, social media, taking Google 360 photos, and more. The DSS can also provide some guidance, resources and recommendations on how businesses can progress digitally. The DSS is focused on assisting your businesses with their digital goals.

The Town has been administering the DSS program since 2019, offering free resources to help businesses with digital transformation initiatives. To date, the program has supported approximately 150 businesses, with 38 businesses receiving the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant for digital upgrades of their choice.

To book a meeting with your Digital Service Squad Member contact Stephanie Zeleniak at szeleniak@lincoln.ca or by phone at (905) 933-8981.

Digital Main Street Programs

Digital Transformation Grant

The Digital Transformation Grant is available to small businesses with under 50 employees and a permanent brick-and-mortar retail or public service location. If eligible, you can receive a non-repayable grant of $2,500 to use towards eligible digital enhancements of your choice for example:

1. Digital Marketing
   1. Hiring a consultant/agency to execute digital marketing initiatives
2. Website
   1. Redesign/improvement of existing website
   2. Development of a new website
   3. Photography/videography costs for production of photos and/or videos
   4. E-commerce enablement
3. Software
   1. Graphic design software
   2. Productivity software
   3. Social media software (Hootsuite, Buffer, etc.)

The deadline to apply for the Digital Transformation Grant is October 31, 2022. To apply to the program and confirm your eligibility, follow the steps on the Digital Main Street website.

ShopHERE Powered by Google

The ShopHERE powered by Google Program creates online stores for small businesses and artists at no cost via Shopify, Square, or Lightspeed. The program also provides free eCommerce experts and training to ensure participants are confident in managing their new online stores upon graduation (e.g. marketing, inventory, etc.)

Who is eligible for the ShopHERE program?

• Under 10 full-time employees (25 for restaurants)
• Registered business in Ontario
• Can be a business or an artist
• Home-based or commercial

For more information on the ShopHere program, visit: Digital Main Street ShopHERE or reach out to Stephanie Zeleniak at szeleniak@lincoln.ca or by phone at (905) 933-8981.